21st of June: fête de la musique. June 2, 2009

Every year, on the first evening of summer, many countries celebrate the arrival of summer with music. It is the longest evening of the year coinciding, more or less – depending of the year- to the summer solstice.

It was first imagined by an American musician whose name is Joel Cohen. He was working inFrance for a very important national radio at the end of the 1970’s. He broadcasted, twice a year, very important concerts for the winter solstice in december and the summer one in june.

The idea was really adopted in 1983 and ever since, on June the 21st, lots of people play music in the streets, parks, music kiosks, stadiums …

This musical evening has become international in the following years and more than 350 towns and cities have adopted the concept. Here are a few posters from different cities from all over the world:

Djakarta. Indonesia.

Let’s hope you’ll have a great enving on June 21st , 2009. Have a good time. Check in your own city. I am sure you will have “une fête de la musique”.

Here is a photo of a member of our local brass band “Zebaliz” from my home city.